Which part would be most suitable for raising virus free plants for micropropagation?

Options

A. Meristem
B. Node
C. Bark
D. Vascular tissue

Answer

To determine which part of a plant is most suitable for raising virus-free plants through micropropagation, we need to consider the properties of different plant tissues and their roles in tissue culture.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Micropropagation**: Micropropagation is a technique used in tissue culture to produce plants under controlled conditions. It involves the use of small plant parts, called explants, to grow new plants.

2. **Importance of Virus-Free Explants**: For successful micropropagation, the explants must be free from viruses. If the explants are infected, the resulting plants will also be infected, leading to failure in plant growth.

3. **Identifying Suitable Plant Parts**: The options provided are:
- Meristem
- Node
- Bark
- Vascular tissues

4. **Analyzing Each Option**:
- **Meristem**: This is a region of undifferentiated cells that can divide and differentiate into various types of cells. Meristematic tissues are known to be totipotent, meaning they can develop into any type of plant cell. Additionally, meristematic tissues are typically free from viruses because they are located at the tips of roots and shoots, which are less exposed to viral infections.
- **Node**: While nodes can be used in micropropagation, they may not always be virus-free as they can contain differentiated tissues that might harbor viruses.
- **Bark**: Bark is composed of mature, differentiated cells and is not suitable for micropropagation aimed at producing virus-free plants.
- **Vascular Tissues**: These tissues are specialized for transport and are also differentiated, making them less suitable for micropropagation.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis, the most suitable part for raising virus-free plants for micropropagation is the **meristem**. This is because meristematic tissues are undifferentiated, totipotent, and generally free from viral infections.

### Final Answer:
The most suitable part for raising virus-free plants for micropropagation is the **meristem**.